Privacy notice

Statistics Canada is committed to respecting the privacy of individuals—whether you are respondents to one of our surveys, clients who are purchasing a product or service or users of our website.

All personal information created, held or collected by Statistics Canada is protected by the Privacy Act and by the Statistics Act in the case of respondents to our surveys. This means that you will be either asked for permission to collect your information or advised of the authority for such collection.

Survey respondents

Statistics Canada's commitment to keeping the confidentiality of the information obtained from the Canadian public is enshrined in the Statistics Act and the Agency's various policies and practices related to data collection, analysis and dissemination activities.

Because of its unique mandate as the national statistical agency in collecting personal information solely for statistical and research purposes, Statistics Canada has prepared privacy impact assessments that address privacy issues associated with its survey activities.

One aspect of the statistical work undertaken by the Agency could involve record linkage projects that bring together information about individual respondents for research purposes.  This is a recognized source of valuable statistical information but must serve a public good. To address the potentially privacy-intrusive nature of this type of research, Statistics Canada not only has a policy in place but practices a well-defined review and approval process for all record linkages.

More information: When you give information in a Statistics Canada survey

Clients

Statistics Canada is fully committed to protecting the confidentiality of the personal information provided by our clients who purchase products or services. This information is used only to support our relationship with you as a client of Statistics Canada.

More information: Protecting your privacy as a client

Visitors to the Statistics Canada website

When you visit our website, you reveal no personal information. However, in order to help improve online services, Statistics Canada routinely records a limited amount of anonymous information about users’ visits.

If you contact Statistics Canada by e-mail, the contact information you provide is used only for responding to your request and is not used for any other purpose.

More information: Your privacy online

Questions/comments on privacy

Questions or comments on the privacy practices at Statistics Canada may be directed to:

Privacy Coordinator
Statistics Canada
R.H. Coats Building, 25th floor
100 Tunney’s Pasture Driveway
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0T6
Telephone: 613-951-9348
E-mail: Philip.Giles@statcan.ca

If you are not satisfied with Statistics Canada’s response to your privacy concern, you may wish to contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner.